On politics in the Golden State

Redistricting: Maps making waves in Sacramento

The impact of new political district maps released Friday is already rippling across Sacramento, with some legislators bunched into seats together and others already plotting bids for higher office.

In the Sacramento region, three different Assembly members would be lumped into a single Assembly seat, pitting colleagues against one another. The city of San Francisco, long represented by two state senators, would now be home to only one. In other places, state lawmakers, such as Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis), saw their existing districts carved up into multiple seats.

In San Diego, longtime Democratic Rep. Bob Filner announced in advance of the new maps’ release this week that he would run for mayor, not reelection. State Sen. Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) quickly jumped into the race and smiled broadly Friday when asked about the congressional district’s new contours.

“I just know the district looks great for me,” he said.

The preliminary redistricting plan, unveiled Friday by a first-in-the-nation citizens panel, also comes only days before the state’s budget is due on June 15. State senators debated a spending plan literally as the maps were finalized, and many expect politicians’ maneuverings over their future posts to become intertwined with the politics of writing the spending plan.

“It’s going to change the dynamics of the budget you see next week,” said Matt Rexroad, a Republican consultant who has studied the maps.